In 1992 I was putting on the finishing touches to my college career that included a number of fabulous seats to a string of incredible concerts from U2 (twice) to Billy Joel. Back then the Stone Temple Pilots had just come on the scene and my boyfriend at the time was a huge fan. Who knew then that lead singer Scott Weiland, guitarist Dean DeLeo, bassist Robert DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz would go on to sell 35 million albums worldwide and score a slew of Grammys? (Besides my ex-boyfriend who claims he was always a “believer.”)
I enjoyed the Stone Temple Pilots’ music but I could have never predicted their success. And now it appears the guys are ready to make a go of it again. After a five-year break up and nearly eight-year absence from the concert scene, the group just announced they will reunite for a North American tour.
The tour will begin on May 17th in Columbus, Ohio and will include stops in 65 cities.
When asked why the band decided to reunite Weiland told reporters, “The story’s not finished, there’s more to be revealed and more to be told.”
Others might say the timing for the reunion tour is based more on the fact that Weiland recently finished up another stint in rehab. The 40-year-old rocker has been dogged by rumors of drug addiction since the band’s early days. It’s no secret Weiland has been arrested for drug possession. In fact, it’s one of the reasons the group says they broke up to begin with. And just last month Weiland pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence of drugs stemming from a November car crash.
Regardless of Weiland’s personal problems, the band says it also plans to record a new album after the tour, which is set to wrap in November.
If you can’t make it out to see the Stone Temple Pilots in person you can watch them on TV next month. They’re scheduled to make their first national television appearance May 1 on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”